PHOENIX — Gov. Doug Ducey signed a package of bills last October that will pump $3.5 billion into K-12 education over the next decade to settle a long-running lawsuit stemming from the state’s decision to raid school spending during the great recession.

The legislation requires that voters approve Prop 123 in a special election scheduled for May 17. The settlement cash comes from $1.4 billion in general fund money and $2 billion from a state land trust.

Mayor Greg Stanton has now officially endorsed Prop 123 and said it is a good first step but not the final step that needs to be taken to support education.

“It has to be part of a multi-tier plan to bring more resources to our public schools. I’ll work with Gov. Ducey,” Stanton said. “I’ll work with Republicans, Democrats, anyone that wants to put more resources into our public schools. We can’t succeed economically if the perception is out there that Arizona doesn’t support our public schools.”

Stanton says the Arizona economy is doing well but can do even better, and he wants to see the state compete for the highest wage jobs in the United States.

“If we put more resources into supporting education and companies that have the highest wage jobs in STEM fields, the jobs of the future, have confidence that we’re going to have the workforce for the future?” Stanton asked. “That’s a combination that can’t be beat. I’m going to work with the governor and everything to make sure 123 passes.”